A DNA mini-barcode reference library for environmental DNA study in the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park

DNA metabarcoding has become a powerful tool for analyzing environmental DNA． It is important to select primers and establish local DNA barcode libraries． Three commonly used mini-barcodes for herbivore environmental DNA were compared in this study using in-silico PCR, and psbCL was found to have the highest or slightly lower coverage and resolution, making it the recommended choice for environmental DNA analysis. A local mini-barcode library for Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park was established using psbCL． The ability to identify species was compared between local mini-barcode library and public databases by amplifying the feeding species in sika deer feces． Data showed that local database improved identification ability at the genus and species levels． This study recommends establishing a local mini-barcode library for environmental DNA analysis to improve accuracy． Plant DNA mini-barcode database for Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park established in this study will be useful for future high-precision environmental DNA analysis．